News and Views

The word is… reconnect
Posted by Guest Author on

Ancient church mothers and fathers often greeted one another with the phrase, “Give me a word.” This greeting led to the sharing of insights and wisdom. Today we continue this tradition with this monthly column.

BWC adopts $18.4 million budget for 2018
Posted by Erik Alsgaard on

By unanimous vote, members of the 2017 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference approved the 2018 expense budget of $18.4 million. Of that amount, $14.3 million is budgeted to be received by apportionments, the connectional system of giving used by the church to support mission and ministry around...

Laity explore HOPE and certified ministries
Posted by Guest Author on

Baltimore-Washington Conference Lay Leader Delores Martin promised a “fact-packed, real facts afternoon” during the laity session May 31. With a standing-room-only crowd paying close attention, Martin celebrated the ministry of the laity and challenged them to fulfill their rightful role.

We’re in this together, mourners reassured
Posted by Linda Worthington on

At each Annual Conference Session, those clergy and clergy spouses who died during the past year are remembered. Family members or friends light a candle as each one’s name is called. Those remembered this year included four bishops and four bishops’ spouses, 23 clergy and 17 clergy spouses...

BOOM report addresses full LGBTQI+ inclusion
Posted by Guest Author on

After significant deliberation, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Board of Ordained Ministry voted in May not to move TC Morrow ahead in the process of becoming an ordained Deacon in The United Methodist Church. Morrow, a lesbian, entered the candidacy process in 2016. With this decision, the...

Statement by Ann Brown Birkel, June 1, 2017
Posted by Guest Author on

Our region is in many ways the cradle of American Methodism. Throughout the long and storied history of our Annual Conference, we Methodists have created colleges and hospitals and a leading seminary. We have ministered to the poor, the hungry and the sick and have tried hard to oppose injustice...